The 22nd of March was a good day. It was Madeline's birthday and also her wedding day.Elijah had completed his mission, and Madeline had Marie to represent her family. The wedding wasn't as simple as they'd originally planned. On the contrary, it was a grand affair.The most lavish hotel in Halston City had been reserved for the occasion, and fresh flowers imported from various places filled the banquet hall. The place looked like an ocean of roses.Madeline had already changed into her diamond-embedded wedding gown and veil in the powder room. Marie was by her side too. She kept complimenting Madeline. "You're gorgeous, Maddie. That Quilton chap has lucked out with you! Alas, it's too bad you can't be my granddaughter-in-law."Elijah's grandfather, Philip Quilton, was present for the wedding. He wasn't happy to hear Marie's words. "Now, I'm not happy to hear that. I think of you as my in-law, but you're trying to snatch my grandson's wife away!"Marie wasn't afraid of him. The
Madeline Snow walked out of city hall, staring dazedly at her marriage certificate. It turned out that getting a marriage registered only took ten minutes.She couldn't believe she was actually married, and not to Isaac Chance, her fiancé. Her newlywed husband was a stranger she'd only known for less than a week."I'm sorry, Dr. Snow. I have an urgent mission, so we can only have our wedding in a month. Is that okay?" A deep, apologetic voice rang out beside her. She turned to look at the man.The setting sun's rays shone down on him, accentuating his chiseled features and making his skin seem even more tanned than it was.He stood with his back straight, and his expression was calm and composed. However, his actions were sharp and decisive. He was the perfect embodiment of a soldier.He was her newlywed husband, Elijah Quilton."That's okay." Madeline nodded. "Your mission is more important."Elijah smiled faintly before stepping forward to give her a quick hug. "We'll act as p
The Snow and Chance families went back a long way. Madeline and Isaac had grown up together, and their bond was strengthened by their promise to marry. At one point, they'd been the model couple of Shorestone City.While growing up, they had never expressed their feelings for each other. However, Isaac had always been there for her whenever she'd turned to look for him. He'd protected and supported her like a guardian angel. It seemed natural that they would get married once they were of age.Things had changed when Madeline had turned 16. Her parents had died in an accident, and her shameless uncle and aunt had seized the Snow family's fortune. They'd barged into her parents' villa and treated her like a maid, even going as far as abusing her.Isaac had protected her when her life had been at its darkest. He'd taken her back to the Chance residence and cared for her, which was how she'd completed her education and even become a doctor.After graduating college, Madeline had though
"What the hell are you doing, Queenie?" Madeline snatched the painting from Queenie. The oil painting had originally been an exquisite masterpiece, but black scrawls now ruined it.Madeline's blood boiled, and her hands trembled with rage. This was the only thing her mother had left for her! She'd taken solace in it for countless days and nights, yet it had now been destroyed!She glared at Queenie. Before she could say anything, the latter burst into tears. "You're so fierce, Ms. Snow! Hurry up and save me, Mommy! Ms. Snow wants to hit me! I'm scared!"Rachel immediately ran over and pulled Queenie into her arms. "What's wrong, my darling?"She soothed Queenie before turning to Madeline, seemingly having just noticed her standing there. Then, she said almost sarcastically, "Queenie is just a child, Dr. Snow. I'll take responsibility and compensate you if she's done something wrong or broken something. You shouldn't harbor a grudge against a child."She'd been born and raised in
Isaac's words stabbed Madeline's heart like knives. She swayed on her feet.An outsider? Was that all he considered her after all these years?It was laughable!Rachel was delighted to hear this but feigned concern and said, "We can talk about the sleeping arrangements later. Queenie's injury is too serious. Can you accompany me to the hospital so we can get it tended to, Isaac?"He immediately lifted Queenie into his arms and turned to leave. Rachel followed him.Madeline stopped him and said plainly, "Let's call off the engagement, Isaac."He didn't believe she was being serious and thought this was another one of her tricks. He didn't even turn back as he said, "I've had it up to here with your dumb tricks. Stay here and reflect on your mistakes!"With that, he hurried off with Rachel and Queenie.As soon as the door was shut, Madeline felt her strength leave her. She slowly crouched on the floor with the painting in her arms. It was almost as if she were holding her whole w
"Hi, Maddie. Are you busy?" Marie's voice was kind and affectionate.Madeline couldn't help softening when she heard it. "No, I'm not. I just finished a surgery."Marie had watched Madeline grow up and loved her like she was her own granddaughter. Madeline relied on Marie, too. To her, Marie and Shirley were the two people who loved her most.Marie sensed the fatigue in Madeline's tone and reminded her not to push herself too hard. Then, she got to business. "I heard about what happened between you and Isaac, Maddie. Don't worry about Rachel Livingston—I've already dealt with her on your behalf."I sent a group of bodyguards over to throw her things out of Isaac's apartment and chase her out. You are the only woman I'll ever consider my granddaughter-in-law!"Madeline was taken aback when she heard this. She looked at Rachel, who was still on her knees. It turned out Marie was the one who'd chased her out.She was moved yet also filled with bitterness. She held her phone withou
Madeline looked Rachel in the eye and asked coldly, "Did you keep part of Queenie's medical history from us?"Rachel's eyes flickered. Then, she cried, "What are you talking about? I'm her mother! Why would I hurt her?"Madeline thought about how Rachel had shoved Queenie aside a few days ago. The latter had knocked her head against the bedside table and even bled. It only made her believe that her guess was likely to be right.Anyway, there was no point arguing with Rachel. Everything would be clear once the results of the blood test were out. She turned to the nurse and said, "Take her blood sample."Rachel gnashed her teeth and tried to stop them. "You can't! I'm Queenie's guardian, and I won't let you touch her!"Madeline kept Rachel from stopping the nurse, so the latter was soon done taking Queenie's blood. The, she ran off to have it submitted for analysis.Once the nurse was gone, Madeline wanted to release Rachel. However, the latter suddenly backed away and fell to the
Madeline's heart sank, and tears filled her eyes. She collapsed on the floor while clutching her phone.What was she going to do? She couldn't let Shirley leave without seeing her once more! Shirley was the only family she had left!She staggered to her feet and tried to run out, but the bodyguards stopped her. "You can't leave, Ms. Snow!""Let me go! I want to see my grandmother! Take your hands off me!"A car pulled up amid the chaos. Through her tears, Madeline saw Marie get out of the car. She burst into tears and cried, "Take me to see Grandma, Grandma Marie! She's going to die!"…The car sped along the road at top speed, but it still took them 40 minutes to arrive at Windmere Nursing Home. Madeline ran straight to Shirley's room, only to see a nurse pulling a white sheet over Shirley's face.She skidded to a stop and let out an incredulous laugh. "What are you doing? You can't cover Grandma's face. She won't be able to breathe."She slowly approached the bed and tugged t
The 22nd of March was a good day. It was Madeline's birthday and also her wedding day.Elijah had completed his mission, and Madeline had Marie to represent her family. The wedding wasn't as simple as they'd originally planned. On the contrary, it was a grand affair.The most lavish hotel in Halston City had been reserved for the occasion, and fresh flowers imported from various places filled the banquet hall. The place looked like an ocean of roses.Madeline had already changed into her diamond-embedded wedding gown and veil in the powder room. Marie was by her side too. She kept complimenting Madeline. "You're gorgeous, Maddie. That Quilton chap has lucked out with you! Alas, it's too bad you can't be my granddaughter-in-law."Elijah's grandfather, Philip Quilton, was present for the wedding. He wasn't happy to hear Marie's words. "Now, I'm not happy to hear that. I think of you as my in-law, but you're trying to snatch my grandson's wife away!"Marie wasn't afraid of him. The
Madeline took Elijah to Shorestone City after he was discharged. Her parents had been buried at Verdano Cemetery, which was located atop a hill. The journey there could be made by cable car, but visitors could also climb the steps up the hill.The weather was nice that day, and Madeline was in a good mood. She suddenly asked, "How about we climb up?"Elijah raised an eyebrow. "I'll do as my darling wife says."They held hands and slowly climbed the steps. Madeline told him about her childhood and breathed in the fresh air. It had been a long time since she'd last felt so relaxed.Elijah watched her dotingly, occasionally stopping her from falling over in her excitement.They reached the top of the hill after a 40-minute climb, and the cemetery's entrance came into view. Madeline stood before it for a while before holding Elijah's hand and heading forward.It had been a long time since she'd been there, and she thought she wouldn't remember where her parents were buried. However,
Elijah had a blissful week after the surgery. Madeline was his attending physician, so he could be affectionate with her daily while admiring her as she worked. Life was great, and he couldn't help thinking he should've gotten injured ages ago.On that day, after making her rounds, Madeline entered Elijah's hospital ward. As soon as she entered, she saw him looking at her with bright eyes. He looked like a dog waiting for its owner to pet it. She approached the bed and asked helplessly, "What now?"He raised an eyebrow and tapped his lips. "You haven't given me my good morning kiss yet."She couldn't stand it when he acted like that. She put on a stern expression and said, "I'm working. Now, lift your shirt so I can change your bandages."He mumbled something about her being heartless but stopped teasing her and lifted his shirt obligingly.After quickly changing his bandages, she looked up to see him watching her with a hint of resentment. She chuckled and leaned down to peck h
Madeline and the nurse ran to the operating theater. When the former saw Elijah covered in blood in the quarantine room, her mind started buzzing. He lay there, unmoving and unconscious. It was almost as if he wasn't even breathing.As a doctor, Madeline was used to seeing death. She shouldn't have been afraid of blood, but at that moment, she was undeniably terrified. She was afraid Elijah would no longer be by her side—that she would no longer see him raise an eyebrow and smirk mischievously at her.Her tears started flowing, and she became numb all over. She couldn't move. In the end, the nurse had to guide her in signing the consent form. Her hand trembled so badly that she could barely hold the pen.Soon, the red light above the operating room turned on. Madeline sat in the corridor and waited. In the past, she'd always been the one inside the operating room, but it had never felt this torturous on the other side of those doors.After an hour, the surgery was over. When the
Isaac barged into the hospital ward and looked at Madeline. His eyes reddened. "Maddie, you're back."Things didn't seem to be going well for him. His cheeks were sunken, and he'd lost so much weight that his handsome face looked haggard.Madeline frowned at the sight of him. She didn't want to have anything to do with him, so she stood up and said to Marie, "I need to head back, Grandma Marie. I didn't ask for too many days off, and I have patients waiting."Marie smiled and nodded. "I'll have the driver send you. Remember to call me before your wedding."Madeline hugged her, reluctant to part. Then, she turned to leave. Marie's assistant followed her out and said, "I'll arrange the driver for you, Ms. Snow."Madeline nodded. She walked past Isaac without sparing him a glance. He hurried forward, wanting to grab her. "I'm sorry, Maddie. Please don't go!"Marie's expression darkened. "Stop him!"Her bodyguard pinned Isaac to the floor. He could only watch as Madeline left, strug
Madeline's new phone clattered to the floor and almost broke. She hastily picked it up and said, "I'll be right there. Please do your best to save her, and tell her to wait for me!"She was almost in tears toward the end of her sentence. Why was Marie suddenly in critical condition?A familiar ringing filled her ears, but she dried her tears and hurried to her superior's office to ask for time off. Then, she booked a flight back to Shorestone City.During the journey, she didn't sleep a wink despite being exhausted. Her heart was at her throat, and she was on the edge of her seat. She was terrified by the thought of not being able to see Marie one last time.Not being able to see Shirley one last time would always be a regret in her life, and she was afraid she would have the same regret with Marie. They were the only two elders who loved her the most in this world!Madeline hurried to the hospital after arriving at the airport. She urged the driver to be faster and ran to the VIP
Sean pushed his glasses up as he stood to one side. He said coldly, "I would advise against kicking up a fuss, Ms. Livingston. Mr. Chance only allowed you to stay here temporarily. Now that he wants you gone, you can't refuse to leave. We won't take anything that belongs to you—you should do what is smart."The workers soon emptied the place and chased Rachel and Queenie out of the residential area. Rachel didn't want to give in so easily and tried to head back inside, but the security guards weren't just for display. They whipped out their electric batons to chase her off.She was scared when she saw how burly they were, so she had no choice but to leave with Queenie and their things.Rachel couldn't find a place to stay because she had no money, so she and Queenie could only squat underneath a bridge somewhere. They stayed there until the next day, when Queenie suddenly burned up with a high fever.Rachel panicked when she felt Queenie's forehead. "Queenie, don't scare me!"Sh
Isaac's heart sank when he recalled the outrageous things he'd said. Madeline probably didn't know about them… Right?As his unease grew, he saw Rachel's phone and grabbed it. Then, he ordered, "Unlock it!"Rachel's face was covered in tears, making her makeup run everywhere. She still harbored a sliver of hope and weeped as she said, "There's nothing on my phone, Isaac. I didn't say anything to Dr. Snow!"He didn't have the patience to argue with her, so he tapped on the screen and gripped her jaw. He forced her head up so he could unlock the phone.Then, he opened her WhatsApp. He didn't find Madeline's number among the conversations. He was about to relax when he suddenly thought of checking Rachel's Instagram.As he went through her archive, he saw an Instagram story he'd never seen before. It was a photo of him sitting before the bed. He saw the video she'd recorded and watched it. Then, he heard his mocking voice ring out."She's just an orphan. Where can she go? At most, s
Isaac's tone was matter-of-fact when he asked the question. He didn't expect it to piss the nurse off.She slammed her instruments onto a tray and glared at him. "Who told you this patient is unconscious because Dr. Snow made a mistake during the surgery? She's like this because her family concealed her medical history beforehand!"She has a congenital heart disease, but her mother didn't inform us before the surgery. Now, she's unconscious because the dosage of anesthesia used was too high!"Isaac's blood ran cold at that. He mumbled, "It's not because of a mistake during the surgery? How can this be?"The nurse rolled her eyes as she picked up the tray. "And why not? Dr. Snow immediately knew something was wrong that day and told me to extract this patient's blood for a blood test."I saw the report myself! I didn't even get the chance to give Dr. Snow the report because she quit. Honestly, this patient is unfortunate to have such a mother!"She stormed out of the hospital ward